also, VNAV is a pain in the rear on approach.. Probably why only very few pilots use it..

It's mostly a pain because a lot of pilots don't really know how to use it. Fred.

It's mostly a pain because a lot of pilots don't really know how to use it. Fred.

It's completely not necessary to use it on approach and landing..

It's completely not necessary to use it on approach and landing..

i agree it's not necessary but a full VNAV and LNAV route can be flown right down to Localizer and Glideslope capture.That's the method that Boeing suggests in the FCOM and FCTM. Fred.

Things might be different in Europe, I'm not familiar with the procedures there.. Different companies have different policies and don't stick to all Boeing recommendations.. You can hand fly whenever you want unless minimums require you to use autopilot on approach, and then it's hands on at 50' agl.. I'm speaking of the 700 series, things might be different when the -800's start rollin in.. I understand a full VNAV and LNAV can be flown to LOC/GS capture, but most of the time it's vectors for final approach course and also speed assignments that don't follow the programmed STAR, that's why most pilots here go to heading select, Vor/Loc, and MCP speed or just fly the approach manually.. I get what your saying though..

Things might be different in Europe, I'm not familiar with the procedures there.. Different companies have different policies and don't stick to all Boeing recommendations.. You can hand fly whenever you want unless minimums require you to use autopilot on approach, and then it's hands on at 50' agl.. I'm speaking of the 700 series, things might be different when the -800's start rollin in.. I understand a full VNAV and LNAV can be flown to LOC/GS capture, but most of the time it's vectors for final approach course and also speed assignments that don't follow the programmed STAR, that's why most pilots here go to heading select, Vor/Loc, and MCP speed or just fly the approach manually.. I get what your saying though..

In Ryanair (which now has the largest fleet of 737 800's in the world) it's always a manual landing.None of the fleet have fail operational and very rarely use fail passive autoland.At 1000 feet it is LNAV, VNAV and autopilot all the way. That is the same for KLM, Virgin, Transavia and many more. The main thing is to enjoy flying and remember that at the end of the dayit is ALL about passenger safety and comfort. Fred.

You can't blame a guy for trying to do it the way the tutorial showed him. Henri

Fred, what aircraft did you start flying in with Ryanair?? just curious..

Fred, what aircraft did you start flying in with Ryanair?? just curious..

A 737 800 of course ! They are the only planes they have. Fred.

Ok, I started years ago in the -200 with the Sperry sp-77 autopilot, probably why we fly differently.. I enjoy our conversations..

Ok, I started years ago in the -200 with the Sperry sp-77 autopilot, probably why we fly differently.. I enjoy our conversations..

Yes, I have noticed from your posts that you like to hand fly a lot.That is a good thing. After all that's what being a pilot is all about. Outside of work I love to fly single engine planes and even a bit of aerobatics.Much different to a 737 !! Great fun. Fred.

Yeah man, I still take out a Cessna 150 once in a while and do some loops and spins..